Maharashtra Legislative Council today witnessed seven adjournments after Opposition members stalled proceedings, questioning the timing of state government's recent notification on Land Acquisition Bill and demanding a discussion on the issue.
BJP's ruling partner Shiv Sena, too, joined hands with the Opposition on the issue and said that a detailed discussion was necessary in the House.
The government, however, said that the notification itself has become infructuous.
"Helpless farmers across the state are against this (Land Acquisition) Bill. The government only wants to snatch away their lands without paying them enough money. How can the government issue a discreet ordinance to apply the Land Acquisition Bill when the House did not have any information on it? What was the hurry in issuing this ordinance?" Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Counil Dhananjay Munde said.
He was speaking after NCP's Hemant Takle demanded a debate on the notification under Rule 289 of the Council.
"The BJP government had managed to pass the anti-government Bill in the Lok Sabha since it enjoys majority there. But they could not do so in the Rajya Sabha. The state government is killing democracy by discreetly issuing a ordinance of this law without informing the House," Munde said.
Congress leader Manikrao Thakre alleged that the state government has "betrayed farmers" by issuing this ordinance.
"Through this ordinance, the state government is only betraying the farmers. People are being kept in the dark regarding important decisions that concern them. We oppose this," he said.
